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Kimball had been quietly on edge most of the day. Patrick had been in a research facility with a deadly virus all day, and Kimball had been concerned that someone would do something stupid and give Patrick the virus. He had kept a calm exterior, but inside he wasn’t happy. It didn’t help that it was the first case Patrick was back working, after taking a break for his injuries - to his chagrin and at Kimball’s request.
Then he got the call. Rigsby was driving them to the facility and Kimball’s phone rang with Lisbon’s number.
“Hey, boss. We're about five minutes from your location.”
“Cho, listen. Jane and I have been exposed to the virus, and it looks like we might die soon.”
Kimball assumed he stopped breathing because he was suddenly lightheaded. Lisbon kept talking but he didn’t hear a word. He silently handed off the phone to Rigsby, who accepted it with an odd glance his way.
Why wasn’t Patrick calling him? Was he okay? Was he suffering due to the virus? Kimball couldn’t imagine his life without Patrick...and he was about to find out exactly how that would feel. What he was feeling now was heart wrenching, he couldn’t imagine how it would feel tenfold. He couldn’t let Patrick die, and if Patrick was going to die from this virus, well so would he. He’d rather risk the virus and hold Patrick for his final moments, than live without him and know he suffered alone.
“Cho. Cho...Kimball!”
Kimball finally looked over at Rigsby.
“It’s Jane.” Rigsby held out the phone to him. Kimball took it and held it up to his ear.
“Pat.”
“Oh Kim, I didn’t mean for Lisbon to call you before I could.”
“You’re dying,” Kimball said bluntly. He tried to keep all emotion from his voice, which he did on the daily, but he knew he failed.
“No, I’m not. Kim, I swear I’m not.” Kimball heard Lisbon shout in protest through the phone and Patrick shushed her. “I wrote a label and put it on an empty flask. I’m going to be fine, well as long as Lisbon doesn’t kill me.”
Kimball didn’t respond. His brain was trying to catch up with the fact that he was starting to mourn for no reason. He panicked for no reason and he was exhausted. He sighed.
“Don’t be mad. I didn’t realize Lisbon was going to call you.”
“I’m not mad.”
“Okay, then don’t be sad. I’m okay, I promise, and I’ll make it up to you,” Patrick’s voice was soft and promising. Kimball could do nothing but take him for his word.
“Okay.”
“But first we have a killer to catch. I need you and Rigsby to change course.”
Patrick didn’t know if Kimball was going to punch something or hug him when they finally reached the CBI and had a moment alone. He knew Kimball would never punch him like Lisbon did back at the facility.
What surprised Patrick was when Kimball just sat down in a chair in the empty kitchenette. He didn’t say a word, instead choosing to run his hands down his face. He showed all the signs of resignation, but resigning to what, Patrick couldn’t pick up on. Was he resigning to putting up with Patrick’s antics forever, or was he resigning to the fact that he couldn’t do it anymore? Now Patrick was nervous. So he did what he did best, he turned and made tea.
Neither of them said a word until Patrick had made them both a cup of tea. He set Kimball’s on the table in front of him then sat across from him. His lover finally looked at him, and Patrick attempted to make his face blank of emotion, but he wasn’t fast enough.
“You’re nervous.”
Patrick loved Kimball’s quick mind. “Yes.”
“Why? I’m not mad.”
“No, you’re resigned, and I can’t tell which way you’re leaning.”
Patrick sipped his tea as Kimball stared at him for a full minute.
“Pat, I’m not breaking up with you.”
Patrick felt a weight leave his shoulders and he smiled. “Oh, well, good.”
“I’m resigned to the fact that I can’t live without you.”
Patrick felt his smile wane. He was thrilled by that, he really was, but he was panicked about what came next when people realized that fact. He wasn’t ready for that, didn’t know if he ever would be again...At least not with Red John still out there. “I don’t want to get married.”
Kimball looked taken aback for a moment, then his quick mind caught up with Patrick’s. “Okay.”
Patrick searched Kimball’s face and posture for a hint that he was disappointed but didn’t find one. Patrick nodded and smiled again. “Okay.”
Kimball rolled over and reached out for Patrick. He laid an arm over Patrick’s chest. He was almost asleep again when he realized he could practically hear Patrick’s thoughts. Patrick wasn’t asleep, and if he knew his lover, and he did, the man had likely not slept at all that night.
“Pat.”
“Yes?”
“What’s on your mind?” Kimball waited. He lifted his head and turned to lay it on Pat’s shoulder.
“Don’t want to talk about it?”
Patrick sighed. “Not really.”
Kimball was fully awake now, his thoughts racing the longer Patrick had taken to answer. “Need help calming those thoughts?”
“Yes.”
Kimball lifted himself up on top of Patrick. He leaned back and slipped off his shirt then leaned forward and kissed Patrick. Patrick needed a distraction? A way to stop his thoughts? Kimball would give him something else to think about.